Got a JD 450C and the track chains are almost at the end of their adjustment. While I realize the correct technique would be to replace them I was wondering about the temporary solution of removing a link? Is this possible/practical? If so any tips? Based on how its been used and what I see over the next few years removing a link would get me at least another 1000 hours/5 years before replacement at which time the sprokets will probably need replacing as well. I hate to put new chains on worn sprokets. Pads are good, rollers and idlers are very good, rails are fair, and the tracks are tracking correctly just running out of adjustment.
- Thread starter kyhayman
- Start date
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
It's been done before but you'll probably have to take them to a track shop to press the pins out. Maybe the pins could be cut out but if you damge the link, the rest of the tracks are no good at all. Dave
People take a link out all the time. That's why you never buy track by counting the links. Refer to the book & buy what the book says. Someone may have removed a link. I think you can drive the master pin (has the dimple in one end of it & pinhead shaped different on the outside) out & the next pin & shorten it w/o taking tracks off. Should be enough wear on those pins that some mighty driving with a sledge & slightly smaller shaft will bring it.
You have to have a torch first drive out the master pin then take the pad off of the link you want to remove then cut the bushing out and cut the pin in 2 slide the cut link off then you will see that the next links bushing is prodruding out on each side maybe 1/2 inch cut the produdingpart of the bushing off so that it is level with the out side of the link this will allow you to slide the two links together and install master pin.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Hayman give me a tick or send me a phone number.
I can save you a lot of trouble and make the job easier.. Jerry E-mail open
I can save you a lot of trouble and make the job easier.. Jerry E-mail open
TomA in CA
Member
If you take out a link you WILL toast your sprockets. Better to have the P&B turned.
bob plumadore
Member
I have been taking links out for the past 50 years
the tractor does not care how many links it has and you an take out one on one side and not the other it will not effect the steering or tracking. knock out the M.P. take careof theat link the inside one it is the Master link the bushing is shorter,it only comes flush. cut the bushin and pin in the link that was over the M L the one you drove the pin out of.
the tractor does not care how many links it has and you an take out one on one side and not the other it will not effect the steering or tracking. knock out the M.P. take careof theat link the inside one it is the Master link the bushing is shorter,it only comes flush. cut the bushin and pin in the link that was over the M L the one you drove the pin out of.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I certainly don,t want to be disrepctfull to anyone that has been doing it for 50 yr BUT any tractor with one less link on either sid will tract to the short side. I also have been doing it for over 50 yrs. You will have to correct the steering about ever minute or so. Just the way it is.
bob plumadore
Member
tractors tavel on the track they are not track propelled
you travel the same spee even if the track is not connected, if it is laid on the ground like when your are putting on a track. an excessively worn sprocket will cause one to veer to one side or a new track and a worn track will cause the same thing but the length of the track has nothing to do wit the steering
you travel the same spee even if the track is not connected, if it is laid on the ground like when your are putting on a track. an excessively worn sprocket will cause one to veer to one side or a new track and a worn track will cause the same thing but the length of the track has nothing to do wit the steering
JOHNNY from MI
Member
Turn your pins and bushings and your drive sprockets will last longer. Belive me I've been a heavy equipment operator for over 40 years.
Thanks everyone for the replies and a special thanks to Jerry for the phone call. Just as some extra info, pins and bushings have already been turned and the rails/sprokets are pretty worn. When I got it they rated the UC at 50pct with maybe 1000 hours left on the rails. My dad and I together already put over 2000 hours on the UC. I'm hoping to finish the job where I am. Tracks are adjusted about right, righ now, just not much left in them to adjust. When I get it back accross the road, in 20-30 hours or so I'll pull a link on each side and try to get a few more hours out of it. A couple of hundred hours a year for a couple of years pushing dirt will get me in pretty good shape and hopefully by then I'll have collected enough off of EQIP and CSP to pay for a new set of track chains and sprokets.
Thanks again!!!
Thanks again!!!
I ran out of adjustment on my crawler and took a link out on each side.
Worst decision I ever made. It accelerated the wear on the pins, bushings, and sprockets by 10 times. Within a few months the bushings were worn through (no holes before taking the link out)and the sprockets were all but shot. I busted a final drive backing up out of a hole when the chains started jumping on the sprocket.
I'd never do it again.
Brian
Worst decision I ever made. It accelerated the wear on the pins, bushings, and sprockets by 10 times. Within a few months the bushings were worn through (no holes before taking the link out)and the sprockets were all but shot. I busted a final drive backing up out of a hole when the chains started jumping on the sprocket.
I'd never do it again.
Brian
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Maybe they were too tight after you took a link out? Otherwise, there shouldn't be any difference. Some machines, like Cat D3's had a link added on newer models. Once the wear is past the hardened depth, they will wear really fast. If the tracks are worn enough that a link had to come out, they were probably in pretty bad shape to begin with. Dave
DWF
Member
- Location
- Barron County Wi
If your tracks are at the end of adjustment, then it is likely your pins & bushings are worn. If you take one link out, then your pitch (length between pins) is longer. It is hard on the sprockets. I had one machine like this. You had to run the tracks tight otherwise they like to come off.
My experience, I wouldn't waste the time.
DWF
My experience, I wouldn't waste the time.
DWF
mnoliverguy
Member
I had a 1948 d4 I took out a link and it worked just fine for many years and then I sold it and that guy is still running it, just heat around any pin and drive it out the other side take a comalong and pull back together and spot weld the pin on one side,And you will still have to adjust your tracks to tighten them. If you price tracks or pins and bushings from jd you will not be able to wait to take that link out, about a 2 hr job for both sides. Good luck go for it.
chipster1952
New User
I saw your post regarding removing links from a chain. I broke a link and want to remove it. It is not near the master link. Any tips for me? I will build a portable hydraulic press if needed, unless you have a better suggestion. I have an oxy-acetylene setup and a stick welder. Thanks for your time.
Chip
[email protected]
Chip
[email protected]
To take the broken link out start by slacking off the adjustment, bring the track around to where you can work on it, remove the pad over the broken link, each link in the chain has a male and female end, the female end comes over the sprocket first, to change a link you will have to remove two pins, you can cut the pin boss with the torch close to the pin of the broken female link, do both ends and knock out the pin, heat the two pin bosses on the female end of the good link and knock out the pin, cut the centre of the broken link bush and knock the two links out, you will now need to cut the two protruding collars off the male link bush so the female link will fit on, that done join the track and put a pin in that is if you are leaving a link out, you need a 14lb hammer and make up a drift, use something like an inch piece of bar with a handle welded to it for a second person to hold while knocking the pins in and out.
AJ
AJ
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